It’s a heavyweight clash in Serie A on Saturday night, as Roma host Inter Milan at the Stadio Olimpico (19:45 BST).
It’s second versus fourth, with Roma level on points with Napoli but trailing on goal difference at the summit, while Inter are just three points behind.
That sets the stage for a fascinating early-season battle in the race for the Scudetto in the Italian capital this weekend.
Team form
Roma have made an excellent start to life under Gian Piero Gasperini, winning five of their opening six Serie A matches.
The Giallorossi began with back-to-back 1-0 victories over Bologna and Pisa before suffering their only setback, a 1-0 home defeat to Torino. Since then, they’ve bounced back impressively, beating Lazio 1-0, Verona 2-0 and Fiorentina 2-1.
While not always the most attractive to watch, Roma have been disciplined, defensively sound and efficient in front of goal.
Inter also appointed a new boss over the summer, with Cristian Chivu stepping up from Parma to take the reins.
His side announced themselves with a thumping 5-0 win over Torino in gameweek one, though inconsistency briefly crept in with defeats to Udinese (2-1) and Juventus (4-3).
However, the Nerazzurri have since rediscovered their rhythm quickly, stringing together three consecutive wins against Sassuolo, Cagliari and Cremonese.
Inter boast the league’s best attacking record with 17 goals in six games, though their defensive vulnerability, conceding eight, contrasts sharply with Roma’s rock-solid back line.
Head-to-head
Inter have had the upper hand in recent meetings, winning four of the last five clashes between the sides, two of those by 1-0 scorelines, one by two goals to nil and the other a 4-2 thriller.
Roma did, however, end that streak last time out, claiming a 1-0 victory at San Siro. It’s clear to see that goals have been at a premium in this fixture, with four of the last five meetings seeing one side fail to score and three producing just a single goal.
Team news
Gasperini has been handed a welcome boost with both Wesley and Angeliño returning to contention. New signing Leon Bailey remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from an injury sustained shortly after his move from Aston Villa, though he’s edging closer to a debut.
Inter are still without Marcus Thuram, who continues his recovery from the muscle injury picked up during the Champions League clash with Slavia Prague. Otherwise, Chivu has a near-full squad available for the trip to the capital.
Key stats
Inter Milan have scored a league-high 17 goals in six games.
Roma boast the best defensive record in Serie A, conceding just twice.
Ange Bonny has proven to be a fantastic signing for Inter, contributing two goals and three assists in six matches.
Matías Soulé has been one of Roma’s standout performers, with three goals and two assists so far this season.
Prediction
This has all the hallmarks of a classic Serie A encounter, tactical, tense and likely decided by the slenderest of margins.
Inter’s attacking flair will test Roma’s discipline at the back, but Gasperini’s side have shown impressive resilience and efficiency in tight games.
With home advantage and the best defence in the division, the Giallorossi could edge another narrow contest.
